Ahh Sephora, you cheeky little monkey, it delights me endlessly when you shock and surprise me. We gently touched on the subject of Sephora’s Spring Collection entitled Moroccan Sunrise way back when. Please tell me you recall? We were all so awed by the prospect of such a pretty collection put out, no less, by Sephora. Indeed, Sephora sneaks up on occasion and releases little itty bitty items that are awesome.

Awesome would fall on the heals of the Sephora Moroccan Sunrise Palette, perhaps awesome isn’t even a suitable adjective to use. Great? Fabulous? Gorgeous perhaps?

Jump for it!

I do feel slight guilty I’m spreading the good cheer about a Spring palette in the Summer but you’ll be happy to know 1. the palette is still very available and 2. it’s pretty stunning for Summer anyway color wise!

Some of the Sephora Moroccan Collection has since gone on clearance and everyday I head over to peep and see if this palette pops up on sale too, but ado, it’s still $32. But it’s well spent money in my opinion.

First off, you may have to get pass the idea that although very pretty in design the palette is very cheap. It looks like a heavy gold plated palette but in fact it’s cheap plastic so it can easily break if dropped. Also they include a dual ended rubbish brush with it. What they think you’re going to do with a brush that’s this skinny is beyond me as it can be used, at best, as a liner brush and in no way can apply the shadows enclosed in the compact.

Aside from these rants I must say the shadows inside are absolute gems. Smoldering Summer ready colors with a pigmented, easy to blend formula await you in six shades. Combine and blend together for a sizzling Summer look or wear them alone for several different looks!

The palette includes a fiery orange, a champagne beige, a shimmering coffee brown, a matte nude brown, and a flirty coral pink. All the shades are stunning and quite unique particularly the pink and pretty orange. Five of the shadows have a shimmer finish where as the sixth is matte. In my opinion they did the palette unjust by releasing it as part of the Spring Collection since, for me, it makes a way better Summer release.

My first look I used the champagne beige as a highbrow highlighter and the orange on my lid with a bit of pink coral blended into the crease. For my second loos below I used the champagne beige and coffee brown to contrast.

My camera’s flash picks up shimmer in a major way so a better representation of the shadow finish is this last photo!

Overall, the palette is a pure joy and a very nice find from Sephora. I think it’s worthy of a pick up if you’re looking for an array of tropical, sunny shades this Summer! Muse Approved for purchase.

My sister is a fan of shoppin’ Kohls so anytime she drags me in I’m always dropping by the cosmetic department to eyeball the American Beauty Cosmetics display. I admit much of the brands promo images with Ashley Judd splashed across it really appeals. She always looks so put together and gorgeous in the promos it makes me want to buy everything in hopes I can look that incredible.

With all the talk of Fall Collections, I thought I’d step back a second and enjoy some Summer ones!

Jump ahead for a review on one of the releases from the American Beauty Cosmetics Coral Treasure Summer Collection.

As I was saying, American Beauty Cosmetics always appeals because Ashley Judd is honestly looking all kinds of gorgeous in the promo images. This one from the Coral Treasures Collection is really super pretty. Totally wish I can dupe the look correctly as she really looks Summer pretty, very tropical!

Part of the Summer release includes American Beauty Pretty Luminous Brightening Cheek Color in Coral Treasures. Man, can I tell you how disappointed I was that this failed to work on me? It’s this really gorgeous subdued shade of tropical coral which kinda reminds me of a sheerer shade of Orgasm. It swatches crazy beautiful on my arm but ends up way to sheer to really enjoy once I apply it on my cheeks.

The good news?

If you’re very fair skinned you can easily enjoy a subtle kiss of tropical coral on your cheeks. The shade is truly pretty and the price is just right. Housed in very nice, heavy compact with mirror and brush this is a real steal for your dollar. At $17.50 I was pretty impressed with the packaging and formula of the blush. It’s very silky smooth and blends nicely however as I said on my tone it’s quite sheer and barely there. The brush it comes with is soft and the compact itself is quite classy for that price tag.

If you’ve been searching for a pretty Summer blush that’s suitable for your fair skin that won’t make you look clowny or too orange definitely check this out as I really think you’ll like it.

As for me, I’m sobbing in misery it failed to work on my tone! Darn it.

I suspect many of you may be excited about the brand new Urban Decay Surreal Skin Cream to Powder Foundation. Upon first seeing it I was pretty excited myself. My first foundation and the foundation that remained with me for many years prior to my experimenting with different formulas was in fact a cream. Becoming deeply attached to my cream foundation over the years it was of course very exciting to see one of my favorite brands releasing a cream compact foundation.

Jump ahead for a peep at the new Urban Decay Surreal Skin Cream to Powder Foundation.

I will in fact express my disappointment this isn’t cream foundation but a cream to powder. I love cream foundation however I’ll begrudgingly admit, in all my years of using it, it doesn’t wear as long as I’d like. I’ll also add that one thing about cream is the fact it doesn’t oxidize on my skin.

Anyway….cream to powder doesn’t hold too much appeal for a dry skin girl like myself as powder always holds a great danger of flaking up on my skin, aging me, and just making me look washed up.

Urban Decay Surreal Skin Cream to Powder Foundation impressed. That’s say alot considering how I normally don’t like this style of foundation or powder in general for that matter.

The foundation comes housed in the slick translucent purple compact that UD has embraced lately with many of it’s new compact releases such as their blotting powder. Goth fans shall rejoice at the purple color and graphic designs of which include a small dagger, skulls, and spiders. For those of you that aren’t in touch with your goth side you’ll still enjoy whipping this out of your purse for touch ups on the fly. The compact is a chunky dual chamber compartment compact which houses the foundation and a mirror on top and a brush applicator on the bottom.

Mmm yes I said brush. Surprised? I was. I expected a sponge applicator but a brush it is kids. The brush is a half moon and large in size. Bristles are slightly scratchy and I’m unsure if I’m ever going to grow accustom to brushing on a cream foundation. You see…I’m normally a finger girl and apply foundation as such. It’s rare I use a sponge or brush for foundation application, to tell me otherwise is like trying to break a dog into trying new tricks. I will say the idea of applying a cream to powder is logical as the brush sweeps the cream into place and blends it nicely but I do think it needs a little pat and rub here and there from my finger to get it in place.

Now the formula….

The formula is possibly the most interesting one I’ve come across in regards to cream that converts to powder. I’ve tried a few and have always either had too powdery a finish or not a powder finish at all. This almost instantly, upon contact with your skin, turns quickly to a powder. It’s buttery to the touch at first and quickly turns into a velvety smooth finish. So far I quite like it. I admit I’ve ditched the brush and have been applying with a sponge as I feel like I get a more even finish.

Some things you should know…..

I think it should work quite nicely with oily skin. Do prep alot prior to use. If your skin isn’t properly prepped you’ll feel like you have a mask on and the foundation will settle on your skin in a most undesirable way, believe me I know as I tried it on unprepped skin and proceeded to look terrible. Be sure your skin is nicely moisturized prior to use also apply primer as it creates a nice working canvas for the makeup.

The foundation wears for around 4 hours on me before I need a touch up but I can stretch this wear with proper priming to around 5 hours. One thing that delights me is how easy it is to retouch up as it’s as simple as applying powder. Sweep on with the brush or smooth on with your sponge, 1, 2, 3 retouch! I really loved how the foundation managed to stay fresh as well without oxidizing or turning gray, ashy on my skin.

Overall, Urban Decay Surreal Skin Cream to Powder should appeal to anyone that’s a fan of cream to powder finishes. The foundation has the potential to become a great product for Urban Decay as much of their Surreal Skin collection is quite good. The range of shades available should appeal as their appears to be a shade that suits everyone.

Urban Decay Surreal Skin Cream to Powder Foundation is available now from Urban Decay and later this month at Sephora.

For your chance to win an Urban Decay Surreal Skin Compact for yourself please see this link!

By now I imagine I sound like a broken record. But..ahem…allow me to repeat myself for the umpteenth time and mention that Philosophy continues to impress me with it’s 3-in-1 Shower Gel range.

I’ve always been a mad fan for Philosophy Shower Gels but even as a fan I confess disappointment over a few that didn’t quite smell like their namesakes. Ok, I admit some were down right wrong on many levels.

But over the course of a year and a half or so Philosophy has beaten out shower gel after shower gel that impresses and tops each past release. The scents are creative, true to their namesakes, and delicious. Actually if I think about it they are exactly what I originally hoped and wanted from Philosophy but somehow was disappointed when it didn’t turn out as such.

Why you must ask am I going on about this now?

Well, Philosophy has three brand new scents available at Sephora and I suspect more will follow soon for Fall.

Click it and learn what they are and why I’m excited!

Indeed I’m not averse to a quick stop at The Sweet Shoppe, particularly Philosophy’s Sweet Shoppe.

Now available and brand new are the Philosophy The Sweet Shoppe Set that includes Watermelon, Little Fishy, and Bubblegum Scented 3-in-1 Shower Gel ($30). Although I find myself unexcited about the actual set (I prefer the large size shower gel bottles) I am excited about the scents. Little Fishy? I adore the scent of Swedish Fish candy! Bubblegum? Another fond favorite! And Watermelon too? Be still my beating heart.

I hope that Philosophy will extend these scents to the bigger bottles if not I shall indulge in the set but I’ll keep my eyes peeled for a larger size.

Also available is the Philosophy The Sweet Shoppe Lip Shine Duo ($20) which includes Watermelon and Bubble Gum flavored glosses! Sweet! What happened to Little Fishy though? Sob!

Whatever your opinion of Philosophy you can’t deny the cuteness behind these sets!